checking oil Ram 1500 2016 Owner's Manual

9. Adjust the tire pressure when possible.
NOTE:Do not oil wheel studs. For chrome wheels, do
not substitute with chrome plated wheel nuts.
To Stow The Flat Or Spare
NOTE: Have the flat tire repaired or replaced immedi-
ately.
WARNING!
A loose tire thrown forward in a collision or hard
stop could injure the occupants in the vehicle. Have
the deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced immedi-
ately.1. Turn the wheel so that the valve stem is facing the
ground and toward the rear of the vehicle for conve-
nience in checking the spare tire inflation. Slide the
wheel retainer through the center of the wheel.
Reinstalling The Retainer
764 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!(Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of your
vehicle and also allow extended maintenance inter-
vals. Do not use chemical flushes in these compo-
nents as the chemicals can damage your engine,
transmission, or air conditioning. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
If a flush is needed because of component malfunc-
tion, use only the specified fluid for the flushing
procedure.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the
engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. Check
the oil level at regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.The best time to check the engine oil level is about five
minutes after a fully warmed up engine is shut off.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Always
maintain the oil level within the SAFE zone on the
dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at
the bottom of the SAFE zone will result in a reading at the
top of the safe zone on these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 795

5. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi-
tion (allowing time for the transmission to fully en-
gage in each position), ending with the transmission in
PARK.
6. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until
seated.
7. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level on
both sides. The fluid level reading is only valid if there
is a solid coating of oil on both sides of the dipstick.
Note that the holes in the dipstick will be full of fluid
if the actual level is at or above the hole. The fluid level
should be between the “HOT” (upper) reference holes
on the dipstick at normal operating temperature. If the
fluid level is low, add fluid through the dipstick tube
to bring it to the proper level.Do not overfill.Use
ONLY the specified fluid (seeFluids, Lubricants, And
Genuine Partsfor fluid specifications). After adding
any quantity of oil through the dipstick tube, wait aminimum of two minutes for the oil to fully drain into
the transmission before rechecking the fluid level.
NOTE:If it is necessary to check the transmissionbelow
the operating temperature, the fluid level should be
between the two “COLD” (lower) holes on the dipstick
with the fluid at 60-70°F / 16-21°C. Only use the COLD
region of the dipstick as a rough reference when setting
the fluid level after a transmission service or fluid
change. Re-check the fluid level, and adjust as required,
once the transmission reaches normal operating tempera-
ture.
CAUTION!
If the fluid temperature is below 50 °F (10 °C) it may
not register on the dipstick. Do not add fluid until
the temperature is elevated enough to produce an
accurate reading. Run the engine at idle, in PARK, to
warm the fluid.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 829

Brake/Transmission Interlock.................489
Bulb Replacement......................849, 850
Bulbs, Light..........................121, 849
Cab Top Clearance Lights...................857
Camera, Rear............................214
Camper................................272
Capacities, Fluid..........................861
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine)........................797, 798
Power Steering.........................615
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)................818
Carbon Monoxide Warning...............118,679
Cargo Light.............................182
Car Washes.............................831
Center High Mounted Stop Light..............855
Center Seat Storage Compartment.............244
Certification Label.........................686
Chart, Tire Sizing.........................637Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .792
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety..............117
Checks, Safety............................117
Child Restraint............................84
Child Restraints
Booster Seats...........................89
Child Restraints.........................84
Child Seat Installation.................103, 105
How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat Belt.......101
Infants And Child Restraints................87
Install A LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint. . . .100
Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat
Belt.................................102
Locating The LATCH Anchorages............97
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children.......92
Older Children And Child Restraints..........88
Seating Positions........................91
Cigar Lighter............................237
Clean Air Gasoline........................676
894 INDEX